"It's so nice to be in London," said Khan. "My favorite place and my favorite city in all ways and things that I like, including releasing the movie. My films belong here and so even if I hadn't come you'd all enjoy the film."

Describing the experience of making Chennai Express, the 47-year-old star said: "It's been a great ride. It's been a funny film. It's been a difficult film. It's been a film that has been full of everything that a Hindi film should be. So this is very different for me too. I have never had a film like this, a complete comedy."

The actor, who reunites on screen with his Om Shanti Om co-star Padukone, praised her performance in the film.

"Personally, I feel after a long time working with Deepika that she's done a marvellous job. And I'm not saying it in a patronising way. I'm saying it as an admirer of her work in the film and otherwise. So I hope you guys like it."

Discussing the film, which releases during Eid, Khan went on to say: "We have these 'holiday period films', where the idea is to entice the whole family to come out to see a film.

"I also personally feel that Rohit Shetty is one of the few directors in the country right now that has a genre of his own which is the Rohit Shetty genre. It really is mass appeal. Family appeal kind of film, honest without any frills or trappings, except that they would have a good laugh, they have great songs.

"It's a family entertainer. It comes at a good time. Whether it's Eid or Diwali or Christmas. Those are the times when people like to have family outings so it has that kind of appeal."

The actor also explained how he chooses his films and how he ensures they challenge him.

"I try to choose films depending on the state of mind I'm in. Sometimes I'm in a state of mind to do a certain film but that isn't offered to me so I settle for second best or go by the belief of the director.

"It's very difficult after 22 years to get up every morning and go to work with the same gusto that I did with the first film. It can only happen if I'm really wanting to be doing that. It's got nothing to do with money, fame, name or even recognition.

"After having finished Jab Tak Hai Jaan, which wasn't completely intense but a huge story, Ra. One, which was physically challenging, Don, which was kind of intense, My Name Is Khan, which was mentally a little intense, I was really just wanting to do a funny film and it fell in my lap. I haven't done a comedic love story like this at all, or maybe not for a long time."

Padukone, who wore a dress by Indian designer Harsha, said: "I just want to say I'm happy to be in London. Yaaay!"

Describing a scene where she is required to beat up Khan, the actress explained: "I could have done it in one take. I just chose to do it wrong so I could do it a lot."